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Palm Springs California A PART OF HOLLYWOOD HISTORY Palm Springs, CA has long been a favorite hot spot for gay men and currently has the largest number of clothing option gay resorts in the U.S. Not only that, Palm Springs host the largest lesbian party in the U.S. "The Dinah" and the largest gay men’s party in the U.S. "Jeffrey Sanker’s White Party." But did you know gays’ and lesbians’ have been attracted to Palm Springs stretching back to the 1910s? According to David Wallace in his book "A City Comes Out," it was a lesbian named Florilla White who in 1913 purchased and ran one of the first lodgings in the area, the Palm Springs Hotel. White was the resident medical doctor for Palm Springs for many years, and cohabitated with art collector Rose Dougan in the 1940s. They were a relatively out couple for the times, and Dr. White was also good friends with bisexual silent screen heartthrob Rudolf Valentino, whose most famous film The Sheik was partially filmed near Palm Springs. The Hollywood zenith in Palm Springs occurred during the studio system of the 1930s to 1950s, when stars were heavily controlled, and most contracts stipulated that actors could not travel more than 200 miles from Los Angeles during film production. Mellow Palm Springs became the nearby getaway for celebrities. It was a place devoid of paparazzi and studio handlers, and desert homes were usually surrounded by high walls, allowing anything to go on within the stars’ private compounds.
The guys came too. Cary Grant, Tab Hunter, Errol Flynn, Rock Hudson, and Liberace all spent time with their gay pals and lovers here. Liberace’s home was rumored to be the site of numerous gay sex parties.
Rock Hudson also spent a great deal of time in Palm Springs, where he also threw gay parties and lived with two of his long-term lovers in a virtually out way. Hudson also hung out with former Palm Springs mayor and Hollywood actor Charles Farrell, who was also known to be bisexual/gay and owned the famously star-studded Racquet Club hotel. Another famous local hotel, the Parker Palm Springs, inhabits the site of the former Givenchy Hotel and Spa Resort, opened by gay TV host and entrepreneur Merv Griffin. Nowadays, Hollywood personalities continue to frequent Palm Springs and it has become a popular location for star weddings. Longtime resident and gay crooner Barry Manilow has a house in Palm Springs, as does his pal Suzanne Somers. Let’s hope the new generation of out LGBT Hollywood stars will continue to leave such an interesting desert legacy.
Rumored bisexual/lesbian stars like Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Claudette Colbert, Marlene Dietrich, and Gloria Swanson all spent time Palm Springs. Colbert owned an exclusive jewelry shop in downtown in the 1950s and would often personally wait on customers. Swanson was a said to frequent the Desert Knight, the town’s first lesbian hotel. For more information about Palm Springs, go to www.VisitPalmSprings.com
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Palm Springs IN THE BUFF
By David Kenniston
Visiting Gay Palm Springs is a good idea in any season. And there are so many options on where to stay. Here are some of our favorites, but beware, they honor the clothing optional Palm Springs tradition.
All Worlds & All Worlds Annex
(formerly INN Exile) 526 S. Warm Sands Drive (760) 323-7505
All Worlds is easily the premier gay adult resort in the Palm Springs area, and it draws crowds accordingly. Situated at the gateway to the cruisy Warm Sands neighborhood, All Worlds is more LA bathhouse than San Francisco sex club, but its real success is in straddling the two - so to speak - in true Palm Springs fashion. And with the recent acquisition of the former Inn Exile across the street (now called All Worlds Annex), there’s that much more space to cruise and meet fun guys, since overnight guests get access to both properties.
pool and hot tub, and a perfectly seedy playroom, with sling, couch, glory hole stalls, and a sex bench.
Century
598 Grenfall Road (760) 323-9966
Another 1950s original transformed into immaculate gay vacationland (first in the 1970s and later, thoroughly, in 2004), Century is among the most exclusive of boutique resorts, with only three suites, but the views are unbeatable.
Desert Paradise
615 Warm Sands Dr. (760)320-5650
Classy, Romantic, Fun, a Little Naughty, Clean and Consistent. These are the standards guests have come to expect giving an 80% return clientele from around the world. All king beds, central air, USB Dock in room, Wi-Fi, Expanded Continental breakfast, off street parking, free adult channels and no additional fees, including no resort fee.
CCBC 68-300 Gay Resort Drive,
El Mirasol Villas
CCBC bills itself as the largest clothingoptional gay men’s resort in the USA, and indeed there is plenty of space to roam across its 3.5 acres, tucked discreetly into the base of the Cathedral City Cove neighborhood. CCBC stands for Cathedral City Boys Club, but while adults of all ages are present and welcome, its embrace of the wilder side — the resort plays host to fetish weekends throughout the year, and the monthly CumUnion sex party — tends to draw a clientele that’s more men than boys.
Not to be confused with El Mirasol Mexican Restaurant a half mile down the road, this unassuming gem flanks the entrance to Warm Sands across from All Worlds, though the two could hardly be more different. The elegant grounds were built in the 1940s by reclusive oddball Howard Hughes, and feature meandering garden paths and a eucalyptus steam room.
Cathedral City (760) 324-1350
Canyon Club
960 N Palm Canyon Drive (760) 778-8042
Located on the north end of town they feature beautiful rooms, a lounge, a sprawling grassy garden with classical sculptures and relaxing greenery, a giant
525 S Warm Sands Drive (760) 327-5913
Escape
641 E San Lorenzo Road (760) 325-5269
Nestled just south of the Wash separating Warm Sands from South Palm Springs, Escape Palm Springs offers a particularly relaxing vibe, away from the jitter and crush of the party circuit. The serene 1950s villa features a 15-man hot tub and 24-hour climate-controlled pool. (continued on a following page)
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Palm Springs IN THE BUFF (continued) Inndulge
601 S Grenfall Road (760) 327-1408
The lap of luxury is to be found even deeper into Warm Sands, where Inndulge stands among the area’s glamorous and appropriately named centerpiece. Not for the quiet-seeking introvert, this is a proudly social resort, whose saltwater pool parties and Thursday pizza nights tend to draw a lively, trendier crowd.
Santiago
650 E San Lorenzo Road (760) 322-1300
Recent renovations have elevated this chic hidden treasure from charming to stunning, with intensely modern color and line dominating the look and immensely affable staff and fellow guests providing the entertainment in motion.
Triangle Inn
555 E San Lorenzo Road (800) 732-7555
At this boutique clothing optional resort a block off the main drag, the ownermanagers live on site and provide hearty pool-side breakfast each morning and mixers in the afternoon. Lush tropical gardens, misting system and refreshing water features surround eight well furnished suites and a four-bedroom, twobath house with private pool for group reservations.
Vista Grande
574 S Warm Sands Drive (760) 322-2404
Half a block further into Warm Sands lies this intensely lush tropical hideaway, cozy and inward-looking, with the thematic design of an MGM movie set or Disney theme park and lighting that will flatter the complexion of even the palest-skinned first time nudist.
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Palm Springs sizzles with Events By David Kenniston Palm Springs isn’t just a gay hot spot in the winter. In fact, the desert is host to some of the most beloved and well attended gay gatherings and events in the world throughout the calendar year. Here are some of the highlights. International Bear Convergence February 8-12, 2018 Celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2018, this four-day gathering is “the premier winter event for bears and their admirers.” Held at the new Hard Rock Hotel in Downtown Palm Springs, the weekend features DJs by the pool during the day and energetic dance parties at night for “bears, muscle bears, cubs, chasers, chubs and admirers.” The 2018 celebration will feature a performance by Martha Wash, and proceeds benefit AIDS Assistance Program / Food Samaritans Palm Springs. Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards February 10, 2018 This mid-winter gala celebrates 24 years raising funds for direct client services at Desert AIDS Project, the Coachella Valley’s comprehensive, low- to nocost health care center for those living with HIV/AIDS. Featuring high fashion red carpet arrivals, dinner, and performances by En Vogue and Thelma Houston, this year’s gala, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, is hosted by longtime friend of Palm Springs 12 boiMAG
Ross Mathews (Hollywood Today Live, RuPaul’s Drag Race), aka “Ross the Intern” from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend March 28-April 1, 2018 First produced in 1991 by Mariah Hanson and named after the singer and women’s golf benefactor (Shore wasn’t gay, but the festival coincides with the LPGA Tour, which she founded), “The Dinah” is by many counts the largest lesbian event in the world. The weekend gathering and music festival draws crowds of 20,000+, and has developed a reputation for divining future music superstars in its performer lineup, including Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Kesha, Tegan and Sara, and early “get” The Pussycat Dolls. Event and performance schedules for the upcoming year are to be announced in January. Cathedral City LGBT Days March 30-April 1, 2018 California’s first Pride event of the year lights up this next-door neighbor to Palm Springs just as spring comes to the desert. Featuring live performances by local and celebrity guests, a Battle of the Bars competition, variety shows, rainbow RV camping, pool and foam parties, Leather Fetish Ball, and the “LGBT Days Bed Race,” this yearly event on the Civic Center Plaza gets the Pride season off to a great start. Jeffrey Sanker Presents White Party Palm Springs April 27-30, 2018 In certain circles, at least, Palm Springs might be best known as the host locale of this massive dance party, attracting (Continued on following pages)
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an eye-popping 30,000 beautiful people from all over the world. Promoter Jeffrey Sanker’s flagship circuit party features pool days in the sunlight at venues like the home base Renaissance Palm Springs hotel, enormous dance parties like the Sunday T-Dance under the big top, choreographed performances and exhibitions, a giant ferris wheel, and grand fireworks display timed along to the music. Events aren’t cheap (tickets to each run $70-$400) but with all those hot bodies and great music, who’s to say it isn’t worth every cent? Blatino Oasis May 4-6, 2018 Citing Palm Springs as a place “safer than most American and International destinations,” Blatino Oasis is a yearly gathering for gay and bisexual men of color. Started in 2007 and centered around the clothing optional resort CCBC, the retreat attracts over a thousand participants each year. Events include a welcome reception, dance and pool parties, an awards and comedy brunch, and “erotic afterhours” at the cruisy CCBC resort. Cinema Diverse September 20-23 or end of September Presented by the Palm Springs Cultural Center, the Cinema Diverse Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival celebrates LGBTQ filmmaking and those who create it with a week of screenings at Palm Springs’ historic Camelot Theatres, with a Best of Fest screening the following weekend at Mary Pickford theatre in Cathedral City. Submissions include documentaries, narrative and short
films. Exact dates for the 11th annual Festival, in 2018, have not yet been announced, but the event generally occurs in the last two weekends in September. Palm Springs Leather Pride October 25-28, 2018 Traditionally held the weekend before Palm Springs Pride, this event, organized by the Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert, centers around the Mr. Palm Springs Leather Contest at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The celebration, held for over two decades, also features an outdoor cruise party and vendor market, clothing optional pool parties, formal leather dinner, dances, cocktail party, an indoor BDSM play party, and workshops and forums on everything from working in porn to writing erotic fiction. A silent auction the night of the contest helps benefit local programs like AIDS Assistance, Desert AIDS Project, and the Desert Women for Equality Mammogram Program. Greater Palm Springs LGBT Pride 2018 November 1-4, 2018 Downtown Palm Springs is the setting for a vibrant, late-season, pedestrian friendly Pride Festival unique to Southern California. Featuring local and celebrity performers on three big stages, a street fair, vendors, beverage gardens, and the beloved Palm Springs Pride Parade, the Pride season wraps up in mid-autumn right near where it began in the spring. Other activities include the Dyke March, Arenas Road Block Party, a Youth Zone and Children’s Headquarters, Pride Honors Awards, and a 5K Run and Walk.
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In The Know... on the go... Christmas Queens Add Sparkle
The queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race are spreading cheers and queers throughout the world this holiday season in their hilarious, new comedy musical show, Christmas Queens. Michelle Visage will host with performances by some of the jolliest queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race. “No one brings the cheer and merriment like these queens,” explains producer Brandon Voss. “Like Santa, they have been working all year in order to bring fierce new holiday looks, never-before-seen theatrics and over the top production numbers that put a unique spin on many of the world’s favorite holiday carols. Tickets for Thursday, December 21 at Chicago’s Metro Theater are available at www.ChristmasQueens.net.
A Free App (as in appetizer)
Mention “BOI” and receive FREE Chicken Wings or Mozzarella Log appetizer with purchase of an entrée at Venicci Restaurant at 3342 N. Halsted Street.
Christmas Tree on a Stick
Try Eli’s Dippers – frozen cheesecake dipped in Chocolate for the holidays. Go to www. shop.elicheesecake.com
Rudolph The Red-Hosed Reindeer
Chicago’s favorite cross-dressing reindeer is back and he’s 20 years old! Rudolph The Red-Hosed Reindeer had its first reading in 1996 and has evolved into one of Chicago’s most popular anti-holiday, holiday shows. Join Rudolph and all of his misfit friends as they struggle with fitting in and being ‘normal’ in an increasingly abnormal world. Playwright David Cerda always adjusts the show to fit the current social climate. Performance will play through December 30, 2017 at Mary’s Attic. Note: there will not be performances on Sunday, December 24 (Christmas Eve); there will be an added performance on Wednesday, December 20 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at www. handbagproductions.org (through Brown Paper Tickets) or by calling (800) 838-3006.
Barney The Elf
After Santa Claus retires, his wicked son begins a not-so-jolly reign as the new head of Christmas. The North Pole begins to crumble under his bigoted rule, and Barney the Elf is forced to leave his home for being different from the others. Soon he embarks on a fabulous journey of self-discovery (or is it elf-discovery?) that lands him in one of Chicago’s hottest drag bars. But can he truly leave Christmas behind for a new life in the big city? Performances will play thru December 30 at Other Theatre’s resident home, The Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Tickets are available at www. theothertheatrecompany.com, in person at the Greenhouse Theater box office or by calling (773) 404-7336.
Let's Go To The Market!
Chicagoans seeking inspiration for this year’s holiday season have all of their holiday decorating, party planning, fashion and entertaining questions answered by the expert sellers, makers and entertaining powerhouses at the Annual Randolph Street Holiday Markets. on December 16 & 17, 2017. The Randolph Street Market is the perfect one stop shop for all holiday needs, including a mix of antique, vintage and modern goods encompassing home décor, housewares, jewelry, men’s toys and accessories, art, mink stoles, gourmet chocolate gift boxes, and custom-made gifts. Guests can make this season as unique as the selection of wares you’ll find from 125+ vendors. WHAT: Randolph Street Holiday Markets WHEN: Dec. 16 & 17, 10am-5pm on both days WHERE: Beaux Arts Plumber’s Hall, 1340 W. Washington Boulevard, Chicago FREE PARKING in huge on-site parking lot only steps away from entrance. (first come, first served). PRICE: $8 tickets are available in advance tickets or $10 MORE INFO: Call (312) 666-1200 or go to their website at www.randolphstreetmarket.com
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